Your 1990 Stanley Cup runner-ups!

Produced by a company called Sports Action, this team set was sold at the Boston Bruins Pro Shop during the 1990-91 season. Appealing in its simplistic design, the 24-card set came in a cardboard and polybag package that was stapled shut. 

Player selection  5 out of 5
Typical for a team-issued set, this does not disappoint. Twenty-three player cards – practically every significant Bruins player that year – and one trophy winner card make up the set.

Interestingly, two cards were replaced mid-season. Originally, the set included cards of Nevin Markwart and Stephane Quintal. Those two were later replaced with Ken Hodge Jr. and John Byce – most likely because Markwart and Quintal were sent to the minors early on that season, while Hodge and Byce were brought up to Boston.

Card design  5 out of 5
These feel less like cards, and more like little photographs. No logos, no text, no borders – just a full-bleed photo. So simple, and yet so beautiful. Going borderless would become a common trend in years to come, but in 1990 it was a truly unique idea.
The photos used are crisp, colorful game-action shots from both home and road matches. Not every card is over-the-top exciting, but at least each one is interesting.

Back design / stats & info  4 out of 5
The back of each card has the player’s name – how else would you know who is pictured on the front? – as well as height, weight, a smaller black-and-white photo and a paragraph-long biography.

Some of the bios have interesting facts:

“…he was the first American high school player to make the jump directly to the NHL.” (Bob Carpenter)

“He played Junior Hockey for Regina of the WHL where Nevin Markwart was a teammate.” (Lyndon Byers…ironic, considering that Byers replaced Markwart in this card set).

“Played for Team USA in the 1987 Canada Cup Tournament.” (Chris Nilan – in an international tournament! Who would have thought, right?)

“Selected Team Captain while Ray Bourque was sidelined with an injury in the Hartford series.” (Garry Galley)

Variations
As mentioned above, sets sold earlier in the year included cards of Nevin Markwart and Stephane Quintal, while sets sold later in the year instead came with Ken Hodge and John Byce. 1990-91

This set is the best of both worlds; a bit new-school with its full-bleed action photography, and a bit old-school with its simple, black-and-white- yet informative – backs.

BONUS
Five awesome cards:

Ray Bourque – The amazing, Hall of Fame defenseman takes a stride forward. (back)

Cam Neely – It’s Cam Neely on the attack! Even the photo on the back – of Neely hopping the boards – is interesting. (back)

Bob Carpenter – A great photo of the Bruins forward handling the puck. (back)

Andy Moog / Rejean Lemelin – Sticks slung over their shoulders, and smiling ear-to-ear, the two Jennings Trophy winners pose in front of a net. (back)

Special Offer Card – This special offer card was inserted in the bagged sets. Back in 1990, one could own a photo autographed by Cam Neely (above) for $32.45, or a photo signed by both Ray Bourque and Phil Esposito (below) for $38.00. If I could turn back time…

NOTES
24 card set
Card size: 2 1/2″ wide x 3 1/2″ tall
Click here to download a printable checklist